Zixiao Palace Taoist Temple

#Zixiao ·2022-08-20 23:32:13

Passing through the hall of the Ten Directions Hall, one is suddenly exposed to the flat and spacious courtyard of the Zixiao Palace. The ground within the courtyard is paved with bluestone, and layer upon layer of stone steps connect the tall platform of the Zixiao Hall, forming the climax of the Zixiao Palace's architecture and laying a further prelude for people's psychological worship of the Great Emperor Zhenwu.

It is worth mentioning that on the east side of the courtyard, there is a circular ancient pool. The water in the pool is clear all year round, and inside the pool, the unique five-colored fish of Wudang Mountain swim gracefully. Legend has it that the five-colored fish was transformed from the weaving shuttle thrown by the Weaver Girl in the sky. For hundreds of years, it has lived naturally and changed colors according to the seasons and growth stages, becoming a major wonder of Wudang Mountain.

On the central axis of the Taoist temple, there is a stone slab that conceals a strange phenomenon, known as "The Golden Frog Calls the Morning". When people stomp their feet on it, they will make very realistic croaking sounds like frogs. After some research, it is believed that beneath the bluestone slabs lies the drainage channel of the Zixiao Palace. Stomping one's feet and striking it would produce a unique sound. Coupled with the reverberation and reflection of the surrounding palace walls and buildings, it created the magical effect of "golden frogs calling for the morning".

The buildings on both sides of the Zixiao Palace Taoist Temple are restored side rooms on the original site, mainly used for the exhibition of Taoist cultural relics. The Taoist temple has side gates on the east and west sides, leading to the East Palace and the West Palace respectively. Now, the East Palace serves as the living area for the Taoists in the temple, while the West Palace is the office area of the Wudang Mountain Taoist Association.